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Buying an intercom, sooner or later you hit the same question: Sena or Cardo? They are the two benchmark brands and both make good kit. But they are not the same, and the choice affects something people forget: who you will be able to talk to.
The most important thing: who you ride with
Each brand’s Mesh works brilliantly between units of the same brand. Between different brands you normally connect over Bluetooth, with more limits (usually in pairs). See Mesh vs Bluetooth.
So the first question is not which brand is better, but what your mates or your partner use. If your group is “a Cardo group”, a Cardo makes life easier, and vice versa.
Sena: sound and range
- A very wide range, from basic units to the most advanced.
- Harman Kardon sound on its top Mesh models.
- Several helmet makers build in Sena-based intercoms (Schuberth’s SC2, for example).
- Its current flagship in our comparison is the Sena 60S.
Cardo: ease of use and toughness
- Known for being very easy to use, with voice control and a simple app.
- IP67 waterproofing on its top models.
- JBL speakers on the Packtalk Edge.
- Its flagship in our comparison is the Packtalk Edge.
| Spec | Sena 60S | Cardo Packtalk Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.8 | 8.6 |
| Sound | 9.2 | 9.0 |
| Range | 9.0 | 8.5 |
| Battery | 9.0 | 7.8 |
| Ease of use | 8.0 | 9.0 |
| Value | 7.6 | 7.4 |
| Mesh network | Yes | Yes |
| Max range (2 riders) | 2,000 m | 1,600 m |
| Talk time | 17 h | 13 h |
| Riders per group | 24 | 15 |
| Speakers | Harman Kardon 40 mm | JBL 40 mm |
| Water resistance | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
Highlighted in orange: the winner of each measurable spec. Manufacturer data.
We compare them in depth in Sena 60S vs Cardo Packtalk Edge.
On a tighter budget
- Sena 50S: Mesh and Bluetooth with Harman Kardon sound at a sensible price.
- Sena Spider ST1: the cheapest way into Sena’s Mesh, but Mesh only.
- Cardo Spirit HD: Bluetooth, designed for two people, with very good sound for the money.
What about Midland?
Midland is the third option. Its BTX2 Pro S LR claims 23 hours of talk time and 1,600 m range over Bluetooth, for up to 4 riders. If you do not need Mesh and want the most for the least, it is a very good buy. More in the best budget motorcycle intercom.
Verdict
- Your mates use Sena or Cardo: buy the same brand.
- Big group, best sound: Sena 60S.
- Simplest and toughest: Cardo Packtalk Edge.
- Two-up on a budget: Cardo Spirit HD.
- Most battery without Mesh: Midland BTX2 Pro S LR.
All of them compared in our intercom guide.
